Can Bellingham reclaim England superstar status at World Cup?

When Jude Bellingham shouted "who else?" toward England's supporters after scoring a spectacular overhead kick against Slovakia at Euro 2024, the moment seemed to cement his status as the team's golden boy. The acrobatic equalizer, timed at 94 minutes 34 seconds in Gelsenkirchen, set up a 2-1 extra-time win in the round of 16. England ultimately fell to Spain in the final, but Bellingham's place as the team's superstar appeared secure.

Two years later, as England prepare for their World Cup opener against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday, Bellingham's star has dimmed. Injuries, the emergence of Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, and head coach Thomas Tuchel's refusal to operate a star system have made Bellingham's role the subject of intense debate—a notion unthinkable after Euro 2024.

Bellingham's Road to Redemption

Bellingham appears to have won the battle for the No. 10 role behind captain Harry Kane, but his path has been rocky. Since the Euro 2024 final, he has made only nine starts in England's 20 games, interrupted by shoulder and hamstring injuries and being left out of the squad by Tuchel. The relationship between player and coach has occasionally appeared fragile. Tuchel apologized after revealing his own mother sometimes viewed Bellingham's on-field behavior as "repulsive" following a friendly loss to Senegal last June. Tuchel, known for brutal honesty, admitted he used the word "unintentionally." He further stirred controversy by leaving Bellingham out of the squad for a friendly against Wales and a World Cup qualifier in Latvia last October, even though the Real Madrid star wanted to play after recovering from shoulder surgery.

Competition and Context

The emergence of Morgan Rogers, who impressed for Aston Villa, has intensified scrutiny on Bellingham's place. Tuchel's strict approach has meant no player is guaranteed a spot, a departure from the star treatment Bellingham received under previous managers. Despite this, Bellingham has looked fit and focused since arriving in the United States, integrated into the squad as England aim to end a barren run stretching back to the 1966 World Cup.

Signs of Seniority

Bellingham, still only 22, was seen in England's dressing room presenting Liverpool's 17-year-old Rio Ngumoah with his first cap after his debut against New Zealand in Tampa—a sign of seniority. Mentor Jordan Henderson, who took Bellingham under his wing when he entered the squad in 2020, believes the midfielder will provide the vital "X-factor" at the World Cup.

Expert Analysis

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who will be BBC Radio Five Live's analyst at the tournament, said: "From what we've seen out here and from what we've heard from the camp and his team-mates, stuff from behind the scenes, England are getting the Jude Bellingham of old back for the World Cup. He looks as fit and focused as he has for a long time." Robinson added: "I'd pick him to start. 100%. Morgan Rogers doesn't deserve to lose his place but Bellingham is a big-game player. I'm not saying Rogers isn't, but Bellingham has experience at World Cups and Euros and playing in big tournaments for Real Madrid."

As England face Croatia, Bellingham is intent on putting his international career in the ascendant once more, aiming to prove that his "who else?" moment was not a fleeting peak but a sign of lasting greatness.